Manchester United stiker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could miss the rest of the season after fracturing a cheekbone in a reserve match.

The Norwegian was accidentally caught by Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu after only seven minutes of the game.

The 33-year-old was confirmed as having a broken cheekbone, which will sideline him for between six to eight weeks.

It is a setback on the comeback trail for Solskjaer who has been out for almost two years with a knee injury.

A Manchester United spokesman confirmed Solskjaer's recovery time would be between six to eight weeks, but the attendant loss of match sharpness almost certainly means he will not play again this season.

That in turn will raise questions of his future at Old Trafford where his contract expires in the summer.

Solskjaer had been hoping to earn a pay-as-you-play deal with United after successfully overcoming the knee injury which has virtually ruled him out of the previous two seasons.

He returned to Premiership action at Brimingham in December and appeared in both FA Cup ties against non-league Burton a month later.

Solskjaer has been restricted to second-team appearances recently as he seeks the sharpness that established him as one of the Premiership's most lethal marksmen.

Midfielder Quinton Fortune suffered a twisted knee in only the second match of his own return from knee problems.

United staff indicated the extent of the fresh injury was not too serious, although it is likely to put the South African's first-team return on hold.

In addition, Gerard Pique was forced off with a dead leg and Patrice Evra limped away from a heavy Ehiogu challenge late on, although the £5m Frenchman was at least able to complete the game.